Bicyclists support Habitat for Humanity

Monday

Jun 29, 2009 at 12:01 AMJun 29, 2009 at 3:06 PM

The combined effort of more than 150 bicyclists Saturday will help at least one St. Joseph County family later this year, and if fate is kind to the St. Joseph County Habitat for Humanity, two families from the county may realize the dream of homeownership.

Jef Rietsma

The combined effort of more than 150 bicyclists Saturday will help at least one St. Joseph County family later this year, and if fate is kind to the St. Joseph County Habitat for Humanity, two families from the county may realize the dream of homeownership.

The 17th annual Bike to Build — the St. Joseph County agency’s largest annual fundraiser — drew about 25 fewer cyclists than it did in 2008, but organizers still hailed the event as a success. Registration fees collected from participants raised about $2,500.

Jeff Zimont, a member of the eight-person board that oversees the St. Joseph County Habitat for Humanity, said proceeds from the event will be coupled with on-hand funds to acquire property and cover construction-related expenses for the next Habitat for Humanity project.

“We’re in the negotiation process for property in Three Rivers and we’re really hoping we can get started on (the construction of) two new houses this year and continue that two-a-year pace as long as funding allows,” Zimont said. “Bike to Build is our biggest fundraiser and in addition, we’re very fortunate as a faith-based organization to have donations and grant dollars as additional sources of income.”

Participants Saturday had the option of registering individually or as a family, and were given the option of completing routes of 10, 25, 40 or 72 miles. Nearly a dozen cyclists — including Conrad and Barbara Bernier of Annandale, Va. — tackled the 72-mile circuit, which covered a good share of the western half of the county. The Berniers, both 65, had planned a trip to a tandem bicycle run in Door County, Wisc., and discovered Saturday’s event through an Internet search prior to their departure.

For the complete story, see the Journal's Monday edition or visit

sturgisjournal.mi.newsmemory.com

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